Tribal Identity and Marginalization — Legal Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments	1992	These amendments introduced Panchayats and Municipalities as constitutional bodies. However, their provisions were not automatically applicable to Scheduled and Tribal Areas, necessitating the PESA Act 1996 to extend them with modifications, respecting tribal customary laws and self-governance mechanisms.	While not directly amending tribal-specific articles, they necessitated PESA, which significantly impacted 'tribal development and governance' by empowering Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas, aiming to devolve power to local tribal communities and protect their traditional institutions.
93rd Constitutional Amendment	2005	Added Clause (5) to Article 15, enabling the State to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes in matters of admission to educational institutions, including private unaided institutions.	This amendment further strengthened the state's power to implement affirmative action policies for STs in higher education, aiming to address 'educational backwardness' and promote their inclusion in mainstream academic and professional spheres.